An Ontario man was found dead on Maine’s Appalachian Trail (AT) near Bigelow Mountain Preserve Sunday afternoon, Aug. 20. Gerald Gabon, 55, from Milton, Ontario, Canada, was found dead by another hiker about four miles north of Route 27 the afternoon of August 20. A carry-out was initiated Sunday evening, however, it was decided that a daylight recovery was safer the following day. The body was airlifted with help from a Maine Army National Guard helicopter, August 21.

Gabon was an avid hiker and was known to like challenging terrain, according to a news release from the Maine Warden Service. It is unclear to game wardens how long Gabon had been in the country or what his hiking plans were, the release said. The cause of death appears to be medical complications however an autopsy is scheduled with the Medical Examiner’s Office. Franklin County SAR and Eustis Fire assisted with recovery efforts.